Dear Theresa May: a counter-terrorism lesson from Africa

An open letter cautions that human rights aren’t a barrier to fighting terrorism, but part of the solution.

From the Institute for Security Studies, Africa:
Dear Prime Minister,

Congratulations on your election victory, which comes at a difficult time for your country and your leadership. What the United Kingdom (UK) needs now is certainty, you’ve said. Citizens will no doubt look to your campaign promises to see what that might mean for them.

That’s what we wanted to talk to you about, actually. Usually, we criticise politicians when they fail to deliver on their sweeping campaign promises. This time, we are in the strange position of hoping that there is one promise you won’t keep.

The twin terror attacks in Manchester and London in the run-up to the vote were tragic. The very real threat of terrorism facing the UK was rightly condemned in the strongest terms by leaders across the political spectrum, yourself included. ‘Enough is enough,’ you said, and ‘things need to change’.

You’re right. Things do need to change. But we’re worried about the changes you propose to make.